What is Design Thinking?

The term “Design Thinking” is a problem-solving process that includes some human-centered techniques to resolve problems creatively and innovatively. It is used by businesses to get optimum results out of each process.

However, you need to understand that this term is not a new entrant to the long list of buzzwords. It is implemented by designers and product managers throughout different industries. We can take examples of big business brands such as Google, Apple, Samsung- who have adopted a design thinking approach.

Using Design thinking in designing products or services

This is an iterative process that helps the problem solvers to try to collect the user data, contest their hypothesis, and reconsider the problems to discover different strategies and solutions which was not possible with their preliminary level of understanding. We can say that the approach of design thinking is the most effective and convenient way to solve the issues right away and working in a different & innovative way.

When creating products or services for the target audiences, it is imperative to comprehend their requirements first. This is where this new approach plays a significant role and facilitates companies and their design teams to thoroughly scrutinize and develop empathy for users.

This highly effective process helps the designing team in questioning the problem, assumptions, and results repeatedly until the solution is arrived at. The problem solvers will then identify the real problems, conclude them, create innovative ideas, which are then prototyped and tested. This is a completely experimental and human-centered process which is repeated until the usability and marketability of products are convinced by everyone.

To be accurately human-centered, the designers of a product or service not only observe the users while using it but continuously filter or enhance the product or service to increase the consumer’s experience. As compared to the traditional problem-solving processes which are limited, the design thinking process is more promising and works better when it is iterative.

5 stages of the design thinking process

1. Empathize

This is the first stage of this process which enables the designers to comprehend the needs and issues of users regarding products. Through this stage, you can gain real insight into users and their needs without judging and instructing fixed notions. This empathetic understanding can uncover the real issues.

2. Define

In this stage, you just need to accumulate the findings and information assembled during the first stage to define the problem. After analyzing the difficulties, you need to find out what the core problem is and the big user problem that you are trying to solve. Finally, you can define the problem they face.

3. Ideate

This is the stage when you create problem-solving ideas from different angles as much as possible. This ideation stage encourages you to explore myriads of innovative solutions that you will conclude at the end of this phase with which to move forward. You can have a chance to learn about different key methods here at this stage.

4. Prototype

It is simply an experimental stage where designers will explore the best and most convenient solution for each problem identified in the previous stages. The prototype stage, otherwise known as scaled-down versions of the product, comes up with a concrete version of the idea to investigate whether it is accepted by users.

5. Test

Here in this stage, the problem-solvers will collect feedback on their work. As we know design thinking is iterative, you can repeatedly go back to the previous stages to redefine one or more further problems. ZThis way, you can come up with alternative solutions once again.

In a nutshell, all these stages are important and vital which contribute to the entire design project. You can gain an understanding and further modify the products or services to meet the client’s expectations.

On the flip side, there are various benefits you can obtain from the most appreciated and recognized design thinking process.

10 reasons why design thinking can help your rule the world

1. It is Collaborative

This is the plus point of this process. As it offers collaboration opportunities thus ensuring you can engage with people with different perspectives and ask for feedback from the whole team. This process helps tackle all sorts of issues of a business effectively. It creates a positive environment that promotes growth and experimenting. It leads to calculated innovation and creation company-wide.

2. Focus on end-users

This is a vital point that this approach majorly focuses on end-users. Whether it is a new technology or a new project management process, you can develop it well by knowing the needs of your users. For example, in an organization, you have to meet employees’ perspectives and how it will affect them as users.

3. View the problems from different angles

It helps to shift your design perspective. Instead of focusing on the outcome directly, you are focusing on the needs of your users. You will be centered on how you are going to convey the information. By considering the problems from a different perspective, you improve the skill to focus on the problems from a brand new angle that encourages the formulation of a solution according to their exact needs.

4. Helps to determine the root cause of the problem

This is yet another benefit of this process. When you can think differently, you can efficiently get to the core matter. You won’t need to depend on your assumptions or data performance reports to know the users’ needs exactly. The problem solver team will conduct focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and questioning their users to explore the problems of products or services.

5. Promotes pioneering problem-solving methods

The process of design thinking helps to figure out the remedy of problems by seeing an existing issue. You can freely use your innovation and originality to crack the problems that your users are facing. It involves brainstorming and formulating new ideas that help to create a great experience for your target audiences.

6. An excellent vehicle for change

This advanced and most recognized process endorses an excellent change and development. This gives a huge opportunity to create product ideas and effective solutions as well as share with the entire team. As we know that each business invests majorly in exploring and deploying the solution, the method of design thinking helps the designer team to offer a great value using a broad scale of skills and ideas.

7. Guaranteed results as per the goals

As the products or services that you are working to undergo different rounds of testing and client feedback, the best result is within reach. The final products are most likely suit objectives and client prospects. So, you can launch your products in the market without any hesitation that will serve the goal it has been developed for.

8. Increase business efficiency

Challenges and difficulties are common before launching products or services. So, you have to be prepared for boosting constructive dialogue to deal with it. By using this innovative thinking approach, you can able to create the right environment to understand the requirement of users. A continuous discussion during prototyping and testing helps to develop the inclusivity of empathetic thinking.

It is a central process that runs through the entire organization across different functions. Moreover, it is a methodology of analysis that goes beyond just product design and product delivery. Additionally, it involves both the product and processes of creating it. And, helps overcome the stalemate, inefficiency, and slow productivity by improving the ability to get optimum results and increase business productivity.

9. Effective and informative results

When the design thinking approach is involved in your products, the products can be designed with focusing on the objectives and results which is far more effective and engaging for the users. You can able to keep your eye on each element that how they are going to ultimately achieve the objectives of users.

Even after the product is launched, you will be continuously evaluating the outcomes and ensuring that your users are getting a satisfying experience. It provides more information and enhances critical thinking skills or ‘out of the box’ thinking skills. You can easily know what you should do in the next projects.

10. Boosted self-esteem

Facing challenges and difficulties can be daunting and stressful. Involving a design thinking mindset can change the scenario completely and improve self-esteem and it is supportive of the business. It can give a creative and innovative solution to advance your business into something new.

Design thinking can be the differentiating factor when it comes to crafting a unique user experience and a product that is innovative. Contact us, if you would like to know more.